The best of the best at the 2013 Isthmus Beer & Cheese Fest

What better way to spend a cold January afternoon than at the Isthmus Beer & Cheese Fest? This fourth annual celebration of Wisconsin tradition served up more than 200 beers from 46 different brewers alongside some 120 cheeses from 24 different cheesemakers. More than 2,000 people attended, with tickets selling out days in advance.

For those familiar with the typical beer or food festival, this event is unique for its side-by-side pairing of breweries with creameries. Indeed, many brewmasters and cheesemakers could be found at their booths, ready to speak with festival-goers sampling their creations.

Over the course of the day, attendees could vote their choice for the best brewery and cheesemaker of the fest. The Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company of Chippewa Falls was tapped top brewery, and Otter Creek Organic Farm was selected as best cheesemaker. Leinie's served several of its most popular brews like Honeyweiss and Lemon Berry Shandy, and also offered the first taste its new Canoe Paddler, a German Kölsch-style beer that will soon be released in 12-ounce bottles. Fans of Otter Creek again voted the Black Earth chessemaker as their favorite, marking its second win in a row. This year, its seasonal cheddars were a big hit, but my favorite remains the Pesto Cheddar.

With lots of citrus hoppiness and deep dark malty flavor, this brew it lives up to the name with a silky-smooth mouth feel and very dark black color. This is worth a trip to the new Madison brewery for another taste.

Sprecher just unveiled a new product, a Hard Root Beer that comes in at 5% ABV. The brewery has been making sodas since it opened in the mid-1980s and its traditional old-fashioned style of root beer is one of the best around. The "hard" version offers that same distinctive sweetness with the light warmth of alcohol in the finish. Isthmus Beer & Cheese Fest was the first time this brew was offered in Madison. However, it should be found soon in four-packs of 12-ounce bottles.

Saint Sylvestre had a hazy golden color, and an earthy maltiness with light fruitiness in the background. However, its light body and mouth feel was quite deceiving. It came off on the palate like a crisp summer brew, but with winter-friendly warmth at over 7.5% ABV.

Often at beer festivals, it's difficult to justify returning for a second sample, especially while pacing yourself in order to maximize the number of beers you can sample during the day (and then remember tasting them). But Titletown offered a wild rice brown ale called ZizaniAle that had a distinctive sweetness and lots of malty and roasted nuttiness. It was so unique that the initial small sample just wasn't enough.

Lazy Monk owner and brewmaster Leos Frank served up his pilsner, Bohemian dark lager, and smoked bock at the festival. All three were well-done beers, and inspired the thought that they could be part of a great weekend of beer touring in western Wisconsin.

I matched a crisp witbier with a trout taco topped by rutabaga slaw. This just seemed appropriate at this beer fest, because in Norse mythology, Valhalla refers to an enormous hall where Vikings go when killed in battle. There, with the gods, they enjoy a never ending festival of feasting and libations.

This double IPA with lots of bitter strength and warmth from 9% ABV was a flavorful sensation that nearly went over the top when paired with the Habanero Jack from Maple Leaf. The Jack alone seemed more habanero than cheese. Together with the intense hoppiness from the beer, it was all good!

The rich, even pungent, blue cheese flavor just seems well suited for beers with lots of hops. While certainly a nice blue on its own, both Hinterland IPA and the Grumpy Troll's Hop Farm Pale Ale made excellent companions.

This brew had firm caramel tones with a beachwood smoked malt undertone. That maltiness and a light hint of roasted-smokiness added to a smooth and creamy flavor profile that left me wishing for a full pint. Potosi is considering releasing a few of its special creations in four-packs this year. The brewery hasn't decided yet on which beers will be included, but I certainly hope this will be one of them.

Isthmus Beer & Cheese Festival continues to grow every year, so plan head for next winter!

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